COSTUMED characters in top hats and tails, crepes and crinolines turned back the clock to Victorian England as Broadstairs' annual Dickens Week celebrations got under way.

The town is alive with celebrations for the 70th festival that honours the work of novelist Charles Dickens and a packed programme of events runs all this week until Sunday.

A grand parade of characters heralded the event on Saturday with a procession from the Pierremont Park war memorial in the High Street to the opening ceremony at Victoria Gardens overlooking Viking Bay.

A genuine turn-of-the-century Sefton Landau carriage complete with white horses and feathers carried Broadstairs’ Queen Victoria (Ivy Clarke) and her lady-in-waiting Princess Feodora (Beryl Pinaffo) to the ceremony conducted by Charles Dickens great-great grandson Gerald Dickens.

Festival organiser Sylvia Hawkes said: "The weather was unpredictable all weekend but we were lucky and our major events escaped the rain.

"The parade was one of the biggest and most impressive we have ever held. Visitors in the town for the festival includes people from around Europe and America, and their presence shows the continuing fascination in Charles Dickens and helps make Dickens Week special."

Other events include the country fair, music hall shows, the festival play which is Pickwick Papers,walks, talks, lectures, Victorian bathing parties and cricket and croquet matches, plus events at the Dickens House Museum.

* The festival booking kiosk is at Victoria Parade and is open daily from 10am-5pm until Saturday, telephone 01843 861118.